IRN Huron County Chapter

What does a truly client-first realtor look like? We heard it firsthand today!

IRN Huron County was treated to an inspiring talk from Shanna McGuckin, a local real estate agent who genuinely puts her clients before the sale.

She shared a story about walking alongside a couple for months through a difficult house search. After tears and multiple contracts, she sat down with her client and asked one simple question: “Do you really want to own a house right now?” The honest answer was no — and Shanna supported that completely. Her client called the next morning saying it was the first good night’s sleep she’d had in months. 💛

Shanna’s message was clear — she’s with her clients every step of the process, not just at closing.

She also emphasized how deeply she knows this community — from local health department rules to neighborhood builders to things that simply don’t show up on Zillow. That local knowledge makes a real difference for buyers and sellers alike.

If you’re looking for someone who will truly have your back in one of life’s biggest decisions, contact:
Shanna McGuckin
North Bay Realty
419.706.2886

Car wash! Check out the giant military vehicle!

Caleb Lukasko was our featured speaker today doing show and tell showcasing this beautiful 2026 Chevrolet Silverado with lots of bells and whistles. Imagine only $399 a month on a lease with $1000 down! He has several of these deals on the lot and more available at other locations at Bauman Auto Group. Call Caleb at (419) 554-9992 to find out about more great deals!

This week, our IRN Huron County meeting featured a member and speaker, Riley Chafins, the Marketing Representative for SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties.

Riley provided insights into how their locally owned and operated team assists homeowners and businesses in recovering from disasters. Whether it’s water and fire damage, mold remediation, storm cleanup, or biohazard situations, SERVPRO is prepared to respond swiftly and ensure the safe and efficient restoration of properties.

She emphasized the significance of having a highly trained team capable of handling a wide range of tasks, from minor cleanup jobs to major restoration projects. This expertise enables families and businesses to resume normal activities as quickly as possible.

Riley also conducted an engaging Q&A session that was both informative and entertaining.

For cleaning, restoration, or construction services, don’t hesitate to contact Riley at 419-619-0900.

DAV is in need of runners, walkers, and helpers! They helped us now it’s time for us to help them.

What is the DAV you say? Take a minute to read this then do what you can do to help these wonderful hero’s!!

DAV — Disabled American Veterans
The DAV was founded in 1920 by World War I veterans to support disabled military veterans and their families. Congress granted it an official federal charter in 1932, and it now has over 1 million members. 
Its core mission is simple: veterans helping veterans. The DAV receives no government funding and provides free, professional assistance to veterans in obtaining VA and other government benefits, helps them transition back to civilian life, funds rehabilitation programs, and advocates for veterans’ rights on Capitol Hill. 
Every year, the DAV helps more than 1 million veterans access benefits they’ve earned — like healthcare, education, and disability compensation — and connects them to employment opportunities. 
In short, it’s one of America’s largest and longest-standing nonprofit organizations dedicated to making sure disabled veterans get the care and support they deserve.

What a fantastic meeting! Last week at our Huron County IRN meeting, we heard from Andrea Welfle, Owner + Chief Digital Strategist of Welfle Creative and Matt Lydy, owner of Matt Lydy Photography and Matt Lydy Media, who together are helping small businesses get clear on their online presence. Andrea walked us through her five-step roadmap — from auditing where you are now to building a strategy, creating content, and measuring real results. Matt reminded us that as business owners, our time is money, and having the right support frees us up to focus on what only we can do. The Q&A was lively and packed with practical insights on everything from text marketing to selling on Facebook Marketplace to going live on multiple platforms at once. For more information, reach out to Andrea or Matt directly — they offer a free 30-minute consultation.

Andrea can be reached at:

creative page and instagram or check her website out at:

https://www.welflecreative.com/

Matt can be reached at:

www.mattlydy.com/photography

The Wednesday Lunch IRN group has some really funny members!
D&D Smith’s Winery is one of them. Check out their upcoming events! .

Events at D&D 5/13/26

This week at our IRN Huron County meeting, we heard from Brandon Kraft, owner of Move This Out LLC — and let me tell you… moving furniture is only half the job. The other half is handling stress, surprises, and sometimes complete chaos! 😅

Brandon has owned Move This Out for the past 10 years. The company originally started in Texas before making its way back home to Ohio. A St. Paul graduate and former BGSU co-op student, Brandon grew up right here in our area. He’s been wrestling since he was 5 years old and played football for St. Paul, including on a championship team during his junior year.

He and his wife Ashlee have been married since 2022. Ashlee works night shift in the ER at Firelands and Bellevue Hospital, and together they’re raising their daughter Macy, a freshman involved in competitive cheerleading. Brandon proudly calls himself the “official cheer dad!”

One thing that really stood out during Brandon’s talk was how important communication is during a move. He shared several stories where jobs doubled in time because customers forgot to mention extra boxes, heavy furniture, difficult apartment access, or long walking distances from truck to building.

His advice:
📦 Be honest and detailed during walkthroughs
📦 Have everything packed and ready if possible
📦 Understand that extra items = extra time and cost
📦 Appreciate movers… because some of these jobs are HARD work!

Brandon also talked about the importance of trust in his industry. His crew regularly works inside homes with valuable items, antiques, jewelry, and family heirlooms. He takes pride in hiring people he personally trusts and treating customers the right way.

A few things that separate Move This Out LLC:
✅ Local ownership
✅ Experienced and trusted crew
✅ Proper insurance coverage
✅ Strong reputation and Better Business Bureau standing
✅ Honest pricing without surprise markups

And apparently… Brandon makes a pretty mean Dutch apple pie too. 🍏🥧

Great job, Brandon! Thanks for giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the moving industry and all the challenges that come with it.

For more information on how they can help with your next move follow this link!

https://www.movethisout.com/

Here are a few specials offered by some of our members!
Caleb Luksko - (419) 554-9992 Bauman.
D&D Smiths Winery LLC - (419) 577-0242.

This week, we heard from Chris Stang, CPA and managing partner at Stein, Olsen & Stang, LLC, who brought valuable updates and clarity to the ever-changing tax landscape for both individuals and businesses. And boy we got a real eye-opener on taxes and deductions!

A few key takeaways that could save you (or your clients) money:

• Standard vs. Itemized Matters – Just because something is “tax deductible” doesn’t mean it helps unless you’re itemizing.
• Medical Expenses Add Up – Insurance, prescriptions, Medicare premiums, and even certain care facilities can count—but only after hitting that 7.5% income threshold.
• Big Opportunity with Dementia Care – In some cases, 100% of memory care costs can be deductible.
• State & Local Taxes (SALT) – The deduction limit has increased (up to $40K for many), which is a big deal for homeowners.
• Mortgage Interest Rules – Still deductible, but capped depending on loan size and how funds are used.
• Charitable Giving Changes – Even non-itemizers may soon be able to deduct up to $1,000 per person.

👉 Biggest lesson? Don’t assume—strategy matters. The way you spend or give money isn’t as important as how it’s structured for tax purposes.

If you’ve ever thought, “I should be getting more back,” it might be time to take a closer look. valuable updates and clarity to the ever-changing tax landscape for both individuals and businesses. And boy we got a real eye-opener on taxes and deductions!

A few key takeaways that could save you (or your clients) money:

• Standard vs. Itemized Matters – Just because something is “tax deductible” doesn’t mean it helps unless you’re itemizing.
• Medical Expenses Add Up – Insurance, prescriptions, Medicare premiums, and even certain care facilities can count—but only after hitting that 7.5% income threshold.
• Big Opportunity with Dementia Care – In some cases, 100% of memory care costs can be deductible.
• State & Local Taxes (SALT) – The deduction limit has increased (up to $40K for many), which is a big deal for homeowners.
• Mortgage Interest Rules – Still deductible, but capped depending on loan size and how funds are used.
• Charitable Giving Changes – Even non-itemizers may soon be able to deduct up to $1,000 per person.

👉 Biggest lesson? Don’t assume—strategy matters. The way you spend or give money isn’t as important as how it’s structured for tax purposes.

If you’ve ever thought, “I should be getting more back,” it might be time to take a closer look.

For more information on how Chris can help you click on the link below or call:

https://www.steinolsenstangcpas.com/

419-668-0332.